2014 FSU Football Preview: Week 3 - Clemson

Nick O'Leary and Florida State host Clemson Sept. 20.

AP photo

By BRAD MILNER | News Herald Writer Twitter: @PCNHBradMilner

Published: Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11:01 PM.

Part 2 in a 10-part online-only series … Game 2, Sept. 20, in Tallahassee, TV TBA, game time TBA — The Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams and the 28th meeting between the teams with Florida State leading the series 19-8 … Participate in #FSUTrivia on Twitter, follow Brad Milner @PCNHBradMilner for your chance to win one of 10 BCS Championship commemorative editions … Click here to read Part 1

Dabo Swinney famously, or infamously depending on your view, said Clemson could defeat Florida State "probably" five out of 10 times last season. This came after the Seminoles marched into Death Valley and throttled the Tigers 51-14.

Oh, Dabo.

In his defense, he did have a team with Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins on offense that against most teams presented major problems. Against FSU, at least on that night, not so much. Both of those players have taken their talents to the NFL and Clemson will roll into Tallahassee for its third game with a vastly different roster.

Swinney is left with uncertainty at quarterback with the dismissal of Chad Kelly, who was in line for a shot at the starting role. Clemson also must replace the latest in a long line of top rushers, this time Roderick McDowell and his team-leading 1,025 yards. Oh, and Boyd was second on the team with 400 yards so more than half the production has gone away.

Watkins grabbed 101 passes from Boyd and added 12 scores. Martavis Bryant also is gone and with him 828 yards and seven touchdowns are as well.

The Tigers will start fresh with running backs Zac Brooks and D.J. Howard competing for the starting nod. Brooks was third on the team last season with 246 yards, while Howard was close behind with 213. Both scored two TDs and Howard was listed as the starter after spring practices.

Part 2 in a 10-part online-only series … Game 2, Sept. 20, in Tallahassee, TV TBA, game time TBA — The Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams and the 28th meeting between the teams with Florida State leading the series 19-8 … Participate in #FSUTrivia on Twitter, follow Brad Milner @PCNHBradMilner for your chance to win one of 10 BCS Championship commemorative editions … Click here to read Part 1

Dabo Swinney famously, or infamously depending on your view, said Clemson could defeat Florida State "probably" five out of 10 times last season. This came after the Seminoles marched into Death Valley and throttled the Tigers 51-14.

Oh, Dabo.

In his defense, he did have a team with Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins on offense that against most teams presented major problems. Against FSU, at least on that night, not so much. Both of those players have taken their talents to the NFL and Clemson will roll into Tallahassee for its third game with a vastly different roster.

Swinney is left with uncertainty at quarterback with the dismissal of Chad Kelly, who was in line for a shot at the starting role. Clemson also must replace the latest in a long line of top rushers, this time Roderick McDowell and his team-leading 1,025 yards. Oh, and Boyd was second on the team with 400 yards so more than half the production has gone away.

Watkins grabbed 101 passes from Boyd and added 12 scores. Martavis Bryant also is gone and with him 828 yards and seven touchdowns are as well.

The Tigers will start fresh with running backs Zac Brooks and D.J. Howard competing for the starting nod. Brooks was third on the team last season with 246 yards, while Howard was close behind with 213. Both scored two TDs and Howard was listed as the starter after spring practices.

Adam Humphries returns as the most productive wide receiver with 483 yards and a pair of scores on 41 receptions. He will be flanked by Mike Williams, who averaged nearly 16 yards per catch, and Charone Peake, who had high expectations and injured his knee two games into the season. Peake received a medical redshirt and could be in line for a breakout year.

Who will throw Peake and Co. passes is the question. Kelly is gone, leaving Cole Stoudt as the current starter. The rising senior played in eight games last season and tossed five TDs in mop-up duty.

Clemson will earn its keep on defense with end Vic Beasley and linebacker Stephone Anthony back this season and both expecting to receive preseason All-American notice. Anthony led the team with an impressive 131 tackles, 75 solo and 13½ for loss. Beasley added 44 stops and led the Tigers with 13 sacks.

Three of four starters on the line return with Josh Watson fighting for an increased role. Robert Smith anchors the backfield with 79 tackles. He will be joined by three returners who had varied experience in 2013.

The cupboard isn’t bare at Clemson, which has been one of the steady contenders in the ACC’s Atlantic Division. The trouble has been forging past FSU and the Seminoles took a giant leap forward with a national title.

Swinney’s remarks, and later saying he felt Clemson was ahead of FSU in terms of seasonal progress, however ill-advised, were made to show boosters and his team that he wasn’t resigned to being second fiddle. Unfortunately for Swinney, his boastful talk is just that, talk, and the Tigers have a long way to go to match the Seminoles again.

First-glance prediction: This is a game FSU will be favored in and perhaps heavily given last year’s outcome. To many the game was surprising, given it was at Clemson. It isn’t prudent to believe Clemson has closed the gap much, especially with its losses on offense, but don’t be shocked if this is closer for longer until the Seminoles pull away late.

Next week: A glance at the Week 2 non-conference home game against The Citadel and a late-season ACC battle with visiting Boston College, which gave FSU an early scare last year on the road.